Scientists predict a one-in-three chance that an earthquake strong enough to cause significant damage will hit the North American west coast in the next 50 years. The question is: Can we cope?

Sudden-onset natural disasters impose substantial disruptive burdens on the societies impacted. A massive earthquake off the west coast of the North American continent would plunge the Canadian economy into a deep financial crisis, as warned by a recent report by the C.D. Howe Institute. Earthquakes, an ensuing tsunami, and other aftershocks endanger the future of the developed land, homes, and infrastructure on the west coast—in Canada and the United States. For many years that has been a known risk, and recent worse-than-expected earthquakes and other natural disasters, such as those that struck in Japan and New Zealand in 2011 and most recently in Italy, have put the issue back in front focus.

Join the CIC Vancouver, hosting the Honourable Yamamoto, Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness, and Johanna Wagstaffe, CBC Meteorologist and Seismologist, on Thursday, November 17th, 2016 for a lunchtime panel at the St. Regis Bar and Grill to discuss strategies for international disaster relief. The panel will begin promptly at 12:00 pm, with a Q&A to follow. Doors open at 11:30 am and a choice of lunch will be provided.

Come prepared with your questions and comments! We look forward to seeing you there!

Speaker’s Biography
Naomi Yamamoto was appointed Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness on July 30, 2015.

First elected as MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale in the 2009 general provincial election, Naomi has previously served as Minister of State for Small Business, Minister of Advanced Education, Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations, and Minister of State for Building Code Renewal.

Previously, Naomi was the president and owner of Tora Design Group in North Vancouver for 21 years. She also enjoyed working with the business community as chair of the BC Chamber of Commerce, chair of the North Shore Credit Union, and representing the North Vancouver Chamber on Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism Association Board.

She served a six-year term on the board of Capilano College (now Capilano University), with the last three years as chair. She also enjoyed six years as a director of North Shore Neighbourhood House

Johanna Wagstaffe is an on-camera meteorologist for CBC News Network covering national and international weather stories. She joined the CBC News: Weather Centre in the summer of 2007.

Wagstaffe’s strong background in seismology and earth science is often utilized by CBC for insight into science stories. Some of the stories she has covered recently include the Copenhagen Climate Conference, major seismic events and space missions.

Johanna Wagstaffe graduated with an honours degree in geophysics from The University of Western Ontario. She was first exposed to weather forecasting as a summer intern at the Environment Canada Severe Weather Centre and then obtained her meteorology certificate from York University.

Outside of work, Wagstaffe enjoys flying and has both her glider’s and pilot’s licence.

Date and Time
Thursday November 17, 2016
11:30am to 2:00pm

Venue
St Regis Bar and Grill
608 Dunsmuir Street
Vancouver, BC V6B 1Y6

Registration
CIC Member  $20.00
Student Member  $10.00
Young Professional Member  $18.00
Non-Member  $32.00
Non-Member Student  $20.00

Click HERE to register online.

Event Contact
Elizabeth Good | vancouver@thecic.org